Into the depths pt. 1: Chelsea’s keeper corps is strong, but for how long?

Chelsea's German head coach Thomas Tuchel (L) speaks with Chelsea's French-born Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy (R) after the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on August 28, 2021. - The game finished 1-1. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's German head coach Thomas Tuchel (L) speaks with Chelsea's French-born Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy (R) after the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on August 28, 2021. - The game finished 1-1. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 14: Edouard Mendy of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on August 14, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 14: Edouard Mendy of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on August 14, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

Chelsea, since the transfer ban, has put together one of the Premier League’s deepest squads. With the summer transfer window shut and the first international break upon us, it is time to look at the depth with half an eye on January and another half on next summer. How is the keepers corps looking for the Blues?

1: Edouard Mendy

The keeper position is inherently unique, but Mendy’s signing is perhaps the best scouted signing of Chelsea in recent memory. Here was a player who was scouted out by Chelsea’s hierarchy at several different levels. Those that know the role, namely Petr Cech and Christophe Lollichon, recommended him. He was not a flashy signing by any means, nor was he entirely necessary in the grand scheme of things regardless of how one feels about Kepa Arrizabalaga. But Chelsea went through with it and arguably made their best, and smartest, signing in recent memory.

Mendy’s only gone from strength to strength since arriving at Chelsea. In his debut Champions League season, he won the keeper of the tournament. He’s got a strong chance for winning the golden glove in the Premier League this season as well. He’s truly a testament that the flashy name isn’t always the best name to sign.

The truly special thing about Mendy is that he accomplished so much in his first season, and keepers tend to improve both with age and time in a league. Mendy will only get better and he’s already fantastic. Mendy could easily be the keeper for the next decade.